While "The Flowers" can be studied in isolation, the reader can discern certain patterns by reading the story in the context of Walker's collection In Love and Trouble. The italicization of the whole text of "The Flowers" is a perfect example. In "Roselily," the first story of the collection, the narrative is divided by italicized clauses from a traditional Christian marriage ceremony. These clauses provide an ironic counterpoint to the story of the protagonist, who is virtually forced into a loveless marriage in order to better the lot of her child. In light of this, we can read "The Flowers," the only story in the collection to be produced completely in italics, as a kind of meta-commentary. For this tiny story describes in microcosm the blighting effect that racism, in its many forms, can have on the early years of African-American children, while it also underlines the hidden...